Can't boot after using KVM switch

Gizmo15 · #1 April 19th, 2007, 07:01 PM

Hi all,
I have an old G3 blue & white desktop, with OS 10.3 that I keep as a spare computer in the basement. I tried to connect that desktop to a kvm switch so that I could connect an (old) windows xp computer to the same monitor. Now, I can't boot the Mac. I was getting a blank, grey screen with nothing, and no startup sounds. I read about resetting the PRAM, and I did that. Now, I get the startup sound and the folder that alternately flashes from a question mark to the face. I tried restarting while holding down the "C" key with the mac disc in the drive. I also tried restarting holding down the shift key. I tried restarting with the keyboard and mouse disconnected. From what I've read in a few forums, my hard drive may be shot. I'm hoping this is not the case, especially since this happened right after I connected the KVM switch. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

sinclair_tm · #2 April 20th, 2007, 05:40 PM

was this with a usb kvm, or a ps2 kvm with a usb adapter?

Gizmo15 · #3 April 20th, 2007, 06:00 PM

This was a ps/2 using a usb adapter.

Kees Buijs · #4 April 21st, 2007, 04:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gizmo15

This was a ps/2 using a usb adapter.

Have you tried what happens if you take the KVM switch out of the chain.

Good luck, Kees

Gizmo15 · #5 April 21st, 2007, 07:53 AM

Oh yes. I removed the kvm. The monitor, keyboard and mouse are directly connected to the tower. It just won't boot at all.

Kees Buijs · #6 April 21st, 2007, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gizmo15

Oh yes. I removed the kvm. The monitor, keyboard and mouse are directly connected to the tower. It just won't boot at all.

If you boot from CD/DVD (system disk) what happens than. Running disk utils to check the harddrive (and have problems fixed).

If it won't boot from the cd/dvd player (press C while turning on the computer and keep it pressed until the CD/DVD player is starting to be used for loading os x), you seem to have developped a hardware problem.

Good luck, Kees

Gizmo15 · #7 April 21st, 2007, 10:07 AM

I've tried booting while holding down the 'C' key. I get the grey screen with no other response. I never get into the system utilities to check the disk. Then I tried booting while holding down the 'shift' key. And I tried booting with the mouse and keyboard disconnected. And I tried resetting the PRAM. The only success I've had is that I went from absolutely nothing to receiving the flashing question mark/face after resetting the PRAM.
Is there anything else that I can try? I'm out of ideas.

Gizmo15 · #8 April 22nd, 2007, 08:54 AM

Can anyone please advise me about this situation? I don't know what else I can do about this.